Leak Preventer for Cups with Detachable Lids

ABSTRACT

The “Leak Preventer for Cups with Detachable Lids” is a single-piece device consisting, roughly, of two circular rings that clamp around the rim of a vessel after the vessel&#39;s lid has been affixed. The invention compresses the rim of the vessel, thus preventing leaks at any seam in the rim, preventing the lid from detaching, and giving positive assurance that the lid has been properly seated on the cup rim. A preferred embodiment of the device is to prevent leaks from the disposable plastic “drink through” lids and disposable rolled-paper cups that are commonly encountered in establishments selling coffee, tea, or other drinks for customers to take “to go.” To accommodate this preferred embodiment, the device includes a tear-off portion that prevents leakage from the “drink through hole” found in such lids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to mechanisms for ensuring lids remain attached to vessels. More particularly, it relates generally to mechanisms for ensuring the integrity of the connection between removable lids and vessels with a rim.

Related Art

Prior art includes many examples of mechanisms to ensure a lid remains attached to a vessel. But in each case, the proposed solution is a specially-designed lid and/or a specially-designed vessel. The present invention sprang from the desire to solve problems commonly encountered with a particular existing type of lid and and vessel combination, without in any way modifying the existing lid or vessel. Namely, the present invention sprang from a desire to address defects in the disposable plastic “drink through” lids and disposable rolled-paper cups that are commonly encountered in establishments selling coffee, tea, or other drinks for customers to take “to go.”

Anyone who frequently uses such cups has probably experienced leaks or spills because 1) the lid appeared to be seated on the cup but was not; 2) the rim crumpled or collapsed, causing the lid to detach; or 3) the contents dripped out at the small gap in the cup rim caused by the seam of the rolled paper cup. When the contents of the cup are a hot liquid—such as the coffee and tea which are commonly served in such cups—the defects with this lid and cup combination go beyond an annoyance to become a safety hazard. The present invention prevents these leaks and spills, improving user safety and satisfaction with such lid and cup combinations. Moreover, it is also applicable to other combinations of lids and vessels with rims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention is a mechanism for ensuring lids remain firmly attached to vessels with rims, while also reinforcing the vessel rim against deformation or collapse and preventing leaks at any seam in the vessel rim. The invention accomplishes this in a manner that prevents spillage of the vessel's contents in three ways:

First, the invention helps prevent the cup rim from collapsing—an event that could cause the lid to detach—which could be caused by excessive pressure on the cup, defects in the cup rim, or other factors. The invention prevents rim collapse by: 1) the invention's lower ring, and, particularly, the point along the upper edge of the lower ring, being sized to the particular cup such that it embraces the shape of the underside of the rim precisely, 2) the material of the lower ring being sufficiently stiff and strong to substantially reinforce the rim, and 3) the length of the invention's latches being sized to the particular cup and lid combination such that the invention exerts a compressive force on the rim, thus holding the rim firmly in place at all points along its circumference.

Second, the invention helps prevent leakage at a seam in the rim, a condition that can occur in certain lid and cup combinations even when the lid is properly seated. This is particularly common for paper cups manufactured with a seam where overlapping portions of the cup wall and rim are glued together. The invention accomplishes this by the invention's lower ring and latches being shaped and sized as described in the previous paragraph such that the invention applies sufficient force to the cup rim to compress it slightly and seal the slight gap that otherwise would exist between the rim and lid at the edge of the seam.

Third, the invention gives a positive indication that the lid is properly seated on the cup rim. The invention accomplishes this by being sized to the particular cup and lid combination such that it will lock into place only if the lid is properly seated on the cup rim. If the lid is improperly seated, the latches of the invention will not close. This gives the user an obvious indication that he should re-seat the lid. Once the invention is locked into place, the user has a positive indication that the lid is seated properly, as well as confidence that the lid will remain seated properly, due to the invention holding it in place.

The invention can be made from a variety of materials; the primary embodiment uses plastic or metal of a type that has sufficient strength to firmly hold the lid to the vessel and apply the proper compression force uniformly around the vessel rim. The invention can be manufactured using a variety of manufacturing processes common to the chosen material. Variants include “disposable” varieties made of plastic, biodegradable plastic, paper, or cardboard, as well as more durable varieties meant to be reusable, made of plastic, metal, or other materials of various color and ornamental design.

Accurate and complete understanding of the way in which this invention works is not necessary to practice the invention, and Applicant does not wish to be bound by the forgoing or any other understanding of how their invention or any of the prior art works.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are provided:

FIG. 1 shows the invention in an open position.

FIG. 2 shows the invention in an open position, rotated to show additional features.

FIG. 3 is a magnified cross-sectional view of the invention applied in a closed position to a cup and lid (a preferred embodiment).

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C together show how a preferred embodiment of the invention is used:

FIG. 4A shows the invention slid into place below the rim of a cup.

FIG. 4B shows the lid attached to the cup while the invention is still in the open position.

FIG. 4C shows the invention fully deployed, in closed position around the cup and lid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention consists of two connected rings: a lower ring which slides up from the bottom of the vessel to rest against the underside of the vessel's rim, and an upper ring which is then rotated via a hinge to rest on top of the lid, near the lid's edge. In the preferred embodiment, the user positions the invention so that the hinge is directly opposite the “drink-through” hole in the lid. The two rings are then locked in place by fastening two latches. When the user is ready to drink from the cup, he tears off the portion of the upper ring between the two latches. This exposes the drink-through hole in the lid.

The invention can be made from a single piece of material, despite anything in the drawings that may appear to indicate otherwise. The precise shape and dimensions of each part will be tailored to the specific vessel and lid with which the invention is intended for use.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention has an upper ring (1) and a lower ring (2) that, when the invention is applied to a vessel and its lid, slightly compress the vessel rim. This compression seals any gaps that may exist between the vessel and its lid, such as at a seam in the vessel's rim. Both the upper ring (1) and lower ring (2) are stiff enough to provide compression around the entire circumference of the vessel rim. This is accomplished by using stiff material, by increasing the material's height or thickness, other design modifications, or a combination of methods. FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional view of the upper ring (1) and lower ring (2) with the lower ring's point (6) as they compress the rim (3) of a notional vessel (4) and lid (5).

A feature of the lower ring (2) is the point (6) which projects upward along the vessel wall where the vessel rim is attached. This point (6) rests between the vessel wall and the slightly compressed vessel rim, effectively locking the vessel rim in place. This prevents the vessel rim from collapsing, which could cause the lid to come off. Another feature of the lower ring (2) is that it may be custom-fitted to the particular vessel it is intended for use with. For example, in the preferred embodiment discussed below, the inner wall of the lower ring (2) will depart slightly from vertical in order to match the sloping wall of the cup. Thus its diameter will be slightly smaller at its lower edge than at its upper edge.

The upper ring (1) and lower ring (2) are locked into place by a hinge (7) and two latches (8). The hinge (7) and latches (8) are sized for the specific intended vessel and lid, to hold the upper and lower rings at the right distance apart to properly compress the vessel rim. The latches (8) may be simple, as shown, or may be modified to better achieve the proper compression of the vessel rim. For example, the latches could be of a design that applies additional leverage and further compresses the vessel rim when the user flips the latches down, similar to latches on certain toolboxes or lunchboxes.

The latches (8) will latch on to projections (9) of the lower ring. These projections may have a slight indentation in their underside (10) for the latch to lock in to, or the projection may simply be sized and shaped such that the latch is held in the latched position by its own tensile force when latched over the projection, or the latch may be designed in some other manner. The latches (8) and the hinge (7) attach to projections of the upper ring and lower ring that are designed to accommodate the dimensions of the specific intended vessel and lid. In the attached Figures, for purposes of illustration only, the projections are sized to accommodate the particular shape of the vessel and lid described in the following section, “detailed description of a preferred embodiment.”

The hinge (7) will also vary in design according to the specific intended vessel and lid. Attached Figures show a hinge that is flat, lying within a plane. One variance would be that “creases” in the hinge material would be needed to allow the hinge to flex if the hinge were instead designed to conform to the curve of the upper or lower rings. Other variations on the hinge design are also possible, such as a mechanical hinge that rotates about one or more joints—which could be employed for a metal non-disposable variation of the invention, for example.

When used with lids that have a hole that allows the user to drink through the lid, the portion of the upper ring between the latches is positioned so that its drinking hole extension (11) covers the drink-through hole in the lid, preventing the cup's contents from sloshing out through the hole. The horizontal portion (12) of the drinking hole extension (11) features an indentation (13) on its underside that is sized to protrude slightly into the drink-through hole of the particular lid being used. For example, the plug may have a flattened oval shape and a depth of about 3 mm to accommodate one lid that is in common use. This further reduces any leakage or sloshing of the cup's contents through the drink-through hole. The invention can also be practiced without the drinking hole extension.

When used with a drink-through lid, the user pulls on the drinking hole extension (11) to remove the tear-off portion of the upper ring (14) when he is ready to drink. Perforations or intentionally weakened seams (15) in the upper ring ensure the tearing occurs cleanly and at the correct location. The latches are positioned so that they do not interfere with the user's lips as he drinks from the drink-through lid. The device continues to provide the user with all its other benefits after the tear-off portion (14) is removed. The invention can also be practiced without this removable portion of the upper ring; the upper ring could be made non-tearable or re-attachable. Or, the upper ring could be only a partial ring. For example, in the preferred embodiment described below, this partial ring would prevent interference with the user's lip contact with the drink-through lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For purposes of illustration and not to be in any way limiting, the following description will apply to a preferred embodiment of the invention, namely, its use with disposable plastic “drink through” lids and disposable rolled-paper cups that are commonly encountered in establishments selling coffee, tea, or other drinks for customers to take “to go.” It will be appreciated that the invention is equally applicable to many other combinations of lids and vessels.

As shown in FIG. 4, the invention is envisioned for use in the following manner. After affixing the lid to the cup in the customary manner, the user slides the invention's lower ring (2) up from the bottom of the cup until the lower ring's point (6) contacts the underside of the cup's rim. The user rotates the lower ring (2) so that hinge (7) is 180 degrees opposite the drink-through hole on the lid. The user then folds the invention about its hinge (7) until the upper ring contacts the lid all around its circumference. The user then engages the latches (8), which locks the upper and lower rings (1,2) at the proper distance apart to provide the correct amount of compressive force on the cup's rim. This action also positions the drinking hole extension (11) so that its indentation (13) protrudes slightly into the lid's drink-through hole, preventing any sloshing of the cup's contents through the hole. When the user is ready to drink, he pulls on the drinking hole extension (11) to remove the tear-off portion of the upper ring (14).

If the user wishes, the invention may be unlatched to allow the lid to be removed. The invention may then be relatched after the lid is replaced. The invention may be discarded after the user is finished with the cup and lid, or it may be retained for subsequent uses. The ability to latch and unlatch the invention is an important feature, as it increases the utility to the user. It allows the user to temporarily remove the invention, remove the lid—perhaps to add something to the drink in the cup—then replace the lid and the invention. It allows the user to remove the invention before disposing of the cup and lid, saving it for subsequent use. Thus, the invention functions well in both a disposable and non-disposable conception.

The compression of the rim of the cup is an important feature, as it seals the small gap commonly found between the lid and the cup rim at the seam of the cup, thus preventing leaks of the cup's contents. The manufacturing process of the commonly-found rolled paper cups creates a vertical seam along the side of the cup, where the paper has been overlapped. When the cup's rim is formed during the manufacturing process, this seam causes a discontinuity in the thickness of the rim. The lids commonly found in use, however, do not accommodate this discontinuity in the rim thickness, causing a small gap to form between the lid and the rim.

The invention is envisioned to accommodate variations that would be of interest to various manufacturers or retailers, such as incorporating specific colors or designs that advertise their brands.

The dimensions of each part of the invention will be customized to match the cup and lid that the invention is intended for use with. For example, the rather large projections of both the upper ring and lower ring are designed to allow the hinge (7) and latches (8) to reach around the “skirt” of many commonly-found cup lids that extends down past the rim of the cup.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above information. For example, it could easily be resized and adapted to other containers, such as to-go containers for soup or cups and lids for other types of drinks or liquids. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claim, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. The invention is defined by the claim. 

We claim:
 1. A device that attaches externally to a lid and a vessel with a rim for the purpose of increasing the integrity of the connection between the lid and the vessel. This specifically includes the disposable cups and lids commonly found in establishments serving hot drinks such as coffee and tea.
 2. A device that compresses or squeezes the rim of a vessel in order to increase the integrity of the connection between the lid and the vessel. This specifically includes any device that compresses or squeezes the rolled rims of paper cups such as those commonly found in establishments serving hot drinks such as coffee and tea, including a device that does so to reduce leakage at the seam in the cup rim.
 3. A device that is designed to provide uniform pressure or compression around the circumference of a rim. This specifically includes being designed to provide uniform compression around the circumference of the rolled rims of paper cups such as those commonly found in establishments serving hot drinks such as coffee and tea, including a device that does so to reduce leakage at the seam in the cup rim.
 4. A device that gives an indication or assurance of whether a lid is fully seated on the rim of a vessel. This specifically includes any device that gives an indication or assurance that the disposable cups and lids commonly found in establishments serving hot drinks such as coffee and tea are firmly and fully attached to each other.
 5. A device that reinforces, stiffens, or locks into place the rim of a vessel so that it is less likely to deform or cause the lid to detach. This specifically includes a device that reinforces the rim of the disposable cups commonly found in establishments serving hot drinks such as coffee and tea.
 6. A device that includes a feature to plug any hole that may be in the lid. This specifically includes a feature to plug the “drink through” hole in lids commonly found in establishments serving hot drinks such as coffee and tea.
 7. A device that includes a feature that helps reduce spillage, such as from a hole in the lid, and can be removed while still retaining other benefits of the device. This specifically includes a feature to plug the “drink through” hole in lids commonly found in establishments serving hot drinks such as coffee and tea that can be removed from the device, allowing the user access to the drinking hole while still enjoying the other benefits of the device. 